The Kia Seltos diesel has what I can only describe as crème brûlée suspension. The MacPherson strut and torsion beam set-up feels rather stiff over normal road bumps and surface changes but, tackle a deep pothole or a high speed-hump and the compression action is pleasing: soft with well-tuned rebound to boot. Only unplanned lines through tight bends see a little body-roll but it’s far from unsettling and more like gravity doing its thing naturally. Thus, apart from a bit of roll when the intended course is changed, there is absolutely nothing to complain about in the ride and handling department.
On the move, the Kia Seltos diesel feels just as effortless getting up to speed, staying there and going about overtaking with ease with plenty of oomph on tap. It can cruise at 80 km/h while turning over at just 1,500 rpm in top gear and also dole out some commendable efficiency figures. The Seltos managed 12 km/l in the city, with the slightly more open highway allowing it to relax and use overdrive ratios for a more commendable 18 km/l. The addition of cruise control also makes covering long stretches easier.
The fact that the Kia Seltos diesel has a BS VI-compliant engine ahead of time is commendable. Kia have managed this using a combination of a lean NOx trap (LNT) and a diesel-particulate filter (DPF) thanks to the smaller displacement engine not necessitating the employ of an advanced selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system.
The cabin sound insulation is excellent and the quality of material used is commendable. Yes, the car is built to the price-bracket of its segment, but it reflects entirely in the choice of equipment and not as a compromise in quality, as is usually the case with several others. The only blemish is the creaking noise from the front doors’ holding mechanism; unexpected from what is a brand-new car. Perhaps, this is a one-off case.
The elements that truly stood out were the overall interior quality and levels of fit-and-finish. Even in the rather hot “winter”, the ventilated front seats were a boon, making for a comfortable experience. The excellent Bose sound system offers an immersive audio experience and makes for exceptional sound reproduction. The rear-view camera with guidelines is also a particularly useful feature, with parking sensors front and rear taking care of the rest. The Kia Seltos diesel also benefits from a cabin air filter and pull-up window shades, which further add to a pleasant cabin experience.
Overall, the Kia Seltos diesel should provide a tremendous boost to the bustling segment. There are more takers for a premium hatchback pretending to be an SUV than one can believe. The slightly higher ground clearance, large boot volume and five seats, apart from the sparkling LED headlamps and sunroof are what seem to matter most today. Those and the adequate safety equipment, including ISOFIX child-seat anchors, make for a more than decent package. The lack of a three-point seatbelt for the middle passenger in the second row is puzzling, but, in all seriousness, it probably won’t be used as much; particularly by smarter families who would opt for appropriately-sized child seats mounted on the outer rear seats.
The Kia Seltos diesel then is an exciting new proposition for those looking to upgrade from a compact hatchback or sedan to a larger and safer alternative as road conditions and traffic worsen by the day.
Need to Know: Kia Seltos Diesel D1.5 HTX+ MT
Price: Rs 15.34 lakh (ex-showroom)
Engine: 1,493 cc, in-line four, turbo-diesel
Max Power: 115 hp @ 4,000 rpm
Max Torque: 250 Nm @ 1,500-2,750 rpm
Transmission: Six-speed, manual, front-wheel drive
Suspension: MacPherson strut front, torsion beam rear
Weight: NA
Also read: Kia Design – Shaping the Future
